Flexible band, chain, or linkage



Dec. 17, )929. A. L. NEWMAN I 1*,739689 FLEXIBLE BAND, CHAIN, ORLINKAGE Filed March 2, 1928 ff 3979.72; gfg

Patented Dec. 17,

y j; l 1,739,689-f ALMYR L. NEWMAN, or wAnWicK, RHODE ISLAND FLEXIBLE BAND, (LII.Av]l1\l,0RV LINKAGE Application filed March 2,

This invention relates to improvements in flexible bands, chains or linkages used as articles of jewelry, particularly as bracelets for attachment to wrist-watches.

5 -Aprincipal object of the invention is to provide an article of the type specified comprising articulated link-elements adapted to flex one in relation to the other and to slide onel on another to render the band or linkagev lmflexible and expansible to fit the wrist of the we arer when used as a bracelet. j

.Another object of Vtheinvention is to provide a band or linkage having the Vlink-elements coupled together in such manner that ;they may be readily disconnected so that one or `more units can be from-the bracelet to adjust its length as required.

Another object of the invention is to pro- 205vide a device of the type specified wherein the link-elements may be constructed from sheet-metal blanks punched out and struck up in ,dies and capable of being assembled with smooth, neat joints. t

vide a device of the type specified in which the coupling means for the link-elements is strongand sturdy and not liable to become accidently disconnected, while at the same 3otime being susceptible of convenient and easy..

detachment to allow the adjustment in the length of the band or bracelet. 1 ,-V

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the following specication which A describes a preferred form ofconstruction of the invention as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is arperspective view illustrating a Wrist-watch band orbracelet embodying thev L10-present., invention and showing it fiexed, in

circular shape and contracted with its links in telescoped relation;

Fig. 2 is a greatly enlarged bottom plan;

view o fs'everal of the associated link-elements shown partly in section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3 and illustrating one ofthe inner links as fdrawn out'inf-extended or expanded f relatOIl'r ff f Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view i ofeeveraloffthe links taken on the line 3-3 added to or subtracted lAnother object of the invention is to pro- 1528. ,Serial N0. 258,606.

of Fig. 2 and illustrating .the method of releasing the connecting means to detach the link-elements; j

Fig. iis a perspective view showing two ofthe assembled link-units and illustrating the meansby which their ends are connected;

Fig. 5 is a composite perspective view showing'one of the' inn-erv slide links and illustratingits tongue or latch as removed therefrom;

.Fig is aplan view of theslide link showing 'amodified form of vthe tongue `therefor and the method of'connecting it with the endf ofthe inner link.- v v i f f The present improved band, chain or linky age'comprises in general Y*a series of outer tubular box-links 2 assembled with .inner slidable connecting-links 3 which are normally maintained telescoped `within the boxlinks Vunder the tension of suitable coil- 7G*- springs. -The outer or main box-links 2 are preferably constructed from sheet-metal blanks which are folded to form a substan-.; tially flat unbroken top-portion 5 with sides 6 bent at rightangles thereto, and a bottom- 75k portion formedby extensions 7 of the sides folded over to meet at the center; it-being noted that in Figs. 2 to 6 of the present draw- ,ings the several link-elements are shown in inverted position, or bottom side up, as com- SQ, pared with the position they assume when.,

; applied to the bracelet or other similararticle. j

Asshown most clearly in Figs. 3 and 4, 'the sides 6 of the outer box-link 2 are extended v85- at'one end to form rounded ears 8 which are pierced or otherwise formed with holes for receiving the ends of a cross-bar or pin 9. The opposite' ends of the sides 6 of the boxlink 2 are cut away or recessed at l() with a 90 rounded contourto adapt them to receive the edges of the'ears 8 on the next'vadj acent boxlinkmwhen. the link-'elements are assemled end-to-end in abutting relation as shown in Fig; V1.

I -v 95. At the end of the box-link 2 carrying thev pin 9 are two ,tabs orV prongs 11 projecting from the edges ofthe-folded bottomstrips 7A insp'aced-apart 'relation and bentv Vover in arcuate shape, to partly' j surreund and .bears QG lagainst the side of the pin 9 as shown in Fig. 4. These two ears or prongs 11 serve as a reinforcement for the pin 9 whereby to hold it from buckling or bending sothat it is prevented from pulling out of the ears 8.

At the opposite end of the box-link 2 are two similar ears or prongs 15 bent inwardly to stand,` at right-anglesto the bottom-strips 7, and spaced apart at the center to provide an opening 16 for apurpose as later eX.- plained.

The inner slide links 3 are c onstructed` in the forni of a shallow tray, see Fig.5, having a fiat top-portion 17 with sides` 18 bent at right-angles thereto and a cross-strip 19 bent over from the end thereof. At the op. posite end the top of the slide projects for wardly beyond the sides 18 and is curled around to form a' hook 2O extending the, full width of the slide link. The hook 20 is adapted to be hooked around the cross-bar or pin 9v at the end of the next adjacent boxlink tovengage the full width thereof and a tonguey or latch-member 21 isassembled with the slide link in position to adapt its end to impinge against the sideof thel pin or crossbar to prevent its disengagement from the hook.

As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5.of' thefdraw-v ings the tongue or latchv21l is constructed in thek form ofy a substantially flat strip of sheetmetal having a widened portion 22 at one end adapted to fit within the sides 18 ofthe sl'id'e-linl'r` 3 with a` slight clearance therebetween and providedv with lateral ears 23 which are received in the openings 24 between the edges of the sides 18 and the endstrip 19. The forward end of the tongue 21 is bent or curled upwardly to a slight extent to bring it into position to engage somewhat above the center of the cross-pin 9 when the latch is assembled with the slide link as shown in Fig. 3. i

A relatively flat helical spring is arranged to enclose the latch or tongue 21, fitting quite snugly around its widened portion 22- to bear against the edges of its lateral ears 23 and extending forwardly nearly to the opposite end of the tongue. W'hen the tongue or latch 21 is placed within the slide link 3 with its lugs orV ears 23 seated'i'n the openings 24 and the slidev inserted in vthe box-link 2 the spring 25 will be compressed with its forward end bearingv against the inturned prongs 15 as` illustrated at the left in Fig. 3, the method of assembling the links being as later explained.

A modified forniyof the slide link and its tongue is illust-rated in F ig. 6 which shows the sides 28 of the slide link 30 asbeing extended rearwardly into abutting relation with the end4strip 29. In this form of construction t-he end-strip 29 isI formed with a central opening 31 adapted to ,receive a pair of prongs 32 which project from'the rearward end of the tongue 33. The two prongs 32 are formed from a substantially dovetailed strip made integral with the tongue or latch 33, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 6, and are bent apart and folded over against the side of the end-strip 29 to provide arivet-like connection between the tongue and the slide link.

Referring to Fig. 5, the edges of the sides 18 on the slide link 3 are preferably notched with slight indentations 35 which may be engaged` by the finger-nail when the slide link is drawn outwardly as shown at the right in. Fig. 3, sof that.. the slide may be held in thiseXtended relation to facilitate the uncoupling of the link-units in the, manner as hereinafter more fully explained.

In assembling the several units of the band, chain or linkage the springs 25 are first placed on the tongues or latches 21 and the latter applied to the slides 3 by inserting their lateral ears 23in the openings 24.

The box-links 2 have their pins 9 inserted through theears 8 and riveted over at their ends and'. the prongs 11 are then bent down across the side of the pins: to. hold' the latterl in place and reinforce them against bending. The forward prongs 15 on the box-links 2 are left. without bending until the slide links 3 are assembled therewith. Each slide link 3, assembledwith its connected latch` or tongue 2-1, is slid into, its respective box-link 2 with the spring 25 in place on the tongue, and the prongs 15. are then bent inwardly to ngage the end of the spring as shown in After the several elements of the link-unit have been assembled in the manner as above described they are coupled together by hookel ing the hooks 2O around the cross-pins 9. rlhis is accomplished by turning one link-unit to stand at substantially right-angles to the next unit, as indicated at the right in Fig. 3,

and then carrying them` together with the cross-pin 9 pressed down against the end of the tongue 21 to cant the latter whereby to allow the pin to slide into place within'the hook 20. After the pin 9 on one link-unit is engaged with the hook 20 on the next adjacent unit in this manner the links maybe turned into alined relation, whereupon the end of the tongue 21 will slide upwardly into position slightly above the center of the pin. It will be understood that the slide link 3 is drawn out from the end of the boX link 2 as shown at the right in Fig. 3 during this operation of coupling the links together and with the links in this relation the spring is compressed so that the forward end of the tongue 21 may be canted away from the edge of the hook.

When it is required to uncouple the links to remove one or more units or to add other units fto the band or bracelet the operation is performed as follows: No 'special tools are required, but, conveniently, a pin i0 or other-'sharp instrumenty is used to press the end of the tongue 21 into Vposition as shown at the right in Fig.` 3 to release the pin 9 from vthe hook` 20. As before noted, the slide link may be held in extended relation duringfthis operation by inserting the linger-nailY in the notches 35, and after the end ofthe tonguel 2l has been depressed the'con-nected box-link is cante-d at an angle and its -pin 9 released from engagement with the hook 20 on the slide link. units may be connected and disconnected-very conveniently and expeditiously Vby anyone not especially skilled as a mechanic. rlhrough this provision link-unitsmay be subtracted from or added'to the bracelet toy adjust its length to the wristof the wearer Y without requiring that the article be sent back tojy the manufacturers or to an expert workman for this purpose.

It is to be particularly noted that the present improved construction ofy the box-link provides for reenforcing the cross-pin or connector which couples the link with the next slide link and this is an important feature as making for 4'greater/strength and sturdiness in the `'completed article. Heretofore Where cross-pins have been employed for coupling together the parts or units of a bracelet they have been open to the objection that due to the slenderness of the pins they would buckle and bend and become loosened or disengaged at their ends. It is a maxim that a chain `'is no stronger than its weakest link and bracelets or like articles constructed in the manner described have heretofore been extremely weak and liable to rupture or breakage at this point. In the present construcftion the curved p-rongs 11 take the side thrust on the pin 9, thus preventing it from bending or buckling and thereby greatly increasing the strength of the bracelet at this vulnerable point.

As another feature of improvement, it is I to be noted that the slide link has a relatively wide hook-portion which engages with the Cross-'pin throughout the whole length of the latter, thus increasing the strength and stiffness of the hook and removing the liability of its becoming, bent or straightened out.

The bracelet or other article is thus rendered ghonger and more durable at this point of connection between the links.

As Ystill another feature of the improvement the tongue or latch 21 is held solidly against the end-strip of the slide link 3 so as to prevent a loose or shackly jointv and its forward end which extends across the side' of the pin 9 is held in the opening between the prongs 11 of the box-link so as to prevent unwarranted side play or `iooseness.

Due to the above mentioned features the whole bracelet is of inuch stronger and sturdiei'construction than those heretofore ein- It will thus be seen that-the link-'V ployed for like purposes and the completed` article has much greater durability inuse. The coupling-means or connection between the link-units is also made secure and proof f against accidental or unwarranted dislocation so that the bracelet-fis superior in this respect to others heretofore used.

l/Vhile I have herein shown and described the improved device as embodied in a pre- I ferred form of construction it is to be understood that various modifications may be' made in the structure and arrangementof its parts without departing from the spirit or scope of y the invention,

Therefore, without limitation inV this respect, I cla-im :y v

l. In-a devicelof the type specified, the com-` bination of box-links having cross-pms ex-vv tending between their sides at the open end thereof and integral tabs projecting from the end of the links and bent around the cross-pins to reinforce the latter, slides slidable in the 4 i box-links and formed with liook-portionsprojecting from the end thereofto hook around the cross-pins on the next adjacent box-links, j

and latches carried by said 'slides and adapted to cooperate with their hooks tov retain them in engagement with the cross-pins.

2. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a box-link having a relatively flat top 'with sides bent at riglit-angles thereto and bottom-portions folded inwardly tliere-l from, a cross-'pin extending between the sides of the box-link atthe open end thereof, tabs formed by extensioiis'of the bottoni-portions of the link bent to partly enclose the cross-pin to reinforce the latter and spaced at a distance apart therealong, a slidehaving--arelatively wide hook-portion adapted to be hooked aroundtl'ie cross-pin on the box-link between v its sides, and a latch `on the slide having a relatively narrow end-portion projecting between the reinforcing tabs in position to en-` gage the cross-pinto maintain the hook on the slide in engagement therewith.

' 3. In a device of the/type specified, the combination of a box-link having a top-portion,

sides bent at right-angles thereto and bottomportions folded inwardly therefrom with iii'- tegral tabs projecting from the bottom-portions aiid bent into arcuate shape, a pin riveted through the sides of the box-link iat the open end thereofand arranged to bear against the arcuate tabs to be reinforced thereby, a slide-link formed with arelatively wide hook at its end adapted to hook'aroun'd l HD j at its end.,.a-s1ide lnksl'idable Within the boxlink and provided with a hook at its end forengagmg the cross-memberon the next adjaeentboX-link of a series, a relatively fiat latch' held Within the slide abuttingitsend-portion, and a springv enclosing the latch and acting between the slide and the box-link to maintain 'them in telescoped relation, said spring acting on thc latch tok maintain its end in cooperativerrelation with the hook to retain the latter in engagement with the cross-member of; the next linkV in the series.

5. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a box-link having a cross-mem-V ber at its end, a slide slidable within the boxlink and provided with a hook at its end adapted to engage the cross-member on the next adjacent box-link of a series, said slide having sides and a lateral end-strip with openings therebetween, a latch having a portion fittingl Vbetween, the sides of the slide and; lugs projecting laterally therefrom to be received in the openings betweenl the sides` and the end-strip, and a helical spring enclosing the latch and actingl against the latter to hold it in position in the slide and to maintain the slide in telSQOped relation with the box-linksaid spring being normally` extended alongy the latch to hold itv in. Position to maintain its end in cooperativev relation with the hook on the slide to retain the lat,- terin engagement with the cross-member of the adjacent box-link while adapting itto be released therefrom. i

6. In a flexible band, chain or;- bracelet,L the combination of box-like link-elements havingcross-meI-nbers at one end, slides slidable in against to maintain the slidestelescoped with-l.

in the box-links, said springs when in extended relation acting on the latchesvto maintain their ends in cooperative relation with the hooks to retain the latter in engagement With the cross-members.

7, In a device of the type specified, the combination of box-links having cross-mem-A r bersextending between their sides at the open end thereof, slides slidable in the box-links and for-'medv With hook-.portions projecting f lOm the end thereofto hook around the cross-members on adjacent box-links, latches Carried by Said slides, helical .Springs @Oiled around the latches and acting thereagainst to hold them against the ends of the slides, said springs acting to maintain the slides telescoped Within the box-links and; when extended alonsthe latches eating toy maintain,

the. latter:- Wth their ends Qvellepping thB-.- cross-members whereby to retain the hooks on the slides in connected relation with the cross-members on theboX-links,

8.k In a device of the type specified, the combination of a hollow box-link having a pin extending acrossits open end, a slidekslidable Within the box-link and formed.r with a cross-Strip at one end and a hook at its opposite end adapted to hook around the` pink ofan adjacentv box-link, a latch having its end seated against the end-strip of the slide and formed with a tongue arranged with its end opposite relation to the hooli on the slide, a helical spring enclosing the tongue of the latch and acting against its end to presslthe latterr against the end-strip of the slide, and also acting against the end of the box-link to maintain the slide in telescoped relation with respect thereto,J said spring tending to normally maintain the tongue of` the latch spaced from the top of the slide to hold it in position t0 engagethe pin on. the.

adjacent box-,link to prevent thehook on the slide from being accidently uncoupled therefrom.

. In testimony whereof I aflix my signature ALMYR, L` NEWMAN. 

